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Whispering Quilts: A Slave’s Journey of Hope, Struggle, and Freedom
In December of 1606, three ships carrying the first permanent English settlers in America—105 in all—headed for the British colony of Virginia. Approximately four months later, on April 26, 1607, they sailed into the Chesapeake Bay, finally arriving at a peninsular in the James River; there, the pioneer colonists disembarked. They named the settlement they established in the area, James Towne.
Twelve years later, in August of 1619, a ship carrying about 50 Africans, stolen from their homes and villages, arrived at the settlement; more than 20 of these wretched souls were left behind, sold into slavery.
By the time a young African girl—barely 12 or 13-years-old—was stolen, transported to America, and sold or traded into slavery in the late 18th century, the transatlantic slave trade had been operating for over 180 years.
The child was brought to America, sold to a South Carolinian rice planter and renamed Charlotte. She is forced to become a breeder, eventually dying in childbirth. Half a century later, after witnessing the savage flogging and slow murder of a runaway slave whose attempt at escape was unsuccessful, Charlotte’s progeny attempt to escape the brutality of slavery to freedom in Canada with the help of White abolitionists and free Blacks. Their lives depend on reading and interpreting coded messages hidden in patterns stitched into quilts. Failure is not an option, but the dangers are many and ever-present. Will they make it to Canada?
The story is narrated by 88-year-old Thomas, the grandson of the slave girl, Charlotte, and passed down through successive generations. It is not until much later, in the 21st century, that Charlotte’s identity is revealed through the magic of DNA testing.
This exciting and educational historical fiction story is rooted in actual historical events and is sure to inspire thoughtful discussions about this period of American history; it is suitable reading for history lovers, as well as for high school and college students, and adults.
Twelve years later, in August of 1619, a ship carrying about 50 Africans, stolen from their homes and villages, arrived at the settlement; more than 20 of these wretched souls were left behind, sold into slavery.
By the time a young African girl—barely 12 or 13-years-old—was stolen, transported to America, and sold or traded into slavery in the late 18th century, the transatlantic slave trade had been operating for over 180 years.
The child was brought to America, sold to a South Carolinian rice planter and renamed Charlotte. She is forced to become a breeder, eventually dying in childbirth. Half a century later, after witnessing the savage flogging and slow murder of a runaway slave whose attempt at escape was unsuccessful, Charlotte’s progeny attempt to escape the brutality of slavery to freedom in Canada with the help of White abolitionists and free Blacks. Their lives depend on reading and interpreting coded messages hidden in patterns stitched into quilts. Failure is not an option, but the dangers are many and ever-present. Will they make it to Canada?
The story is narrated by 88-year-old Thomas, the grandson of the slave girl, Charlotte, and passed down through successive generations. It is not until much later, in the 21st century, that Charlotte’s identity is revealed through the magic of DNA testing.
This exciting and educational historical fiction story is rooted in actual historical events and is sure to inspire thoughtful discussions about this period of American history; it is suitable reading for history lovers, as well as for high school and college students, and adults.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
2 pages, Audible Audio
Published January 1, 2018
141 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 2, 2022
This is a story of the Underground Railroad and a family that moved along it. This read a lot like a diary more than a fictional story, but it was very effective because of that choice. I loved the quilt motif. I have the physical book, but I am actually listening to this one on Audible.
July 21, 2020
Couldn’t put it down
This is a great story that tells the reality of slavery and the courage it took for slaves to run away seeking freedom. I found it very easy to read, though some parts were very heart breaking. I think there is a good balance of reality without so much detail as to be brutal (though the reality was too brutal). It was educational while also enjoyable to read.
This is a great story that tells the reality of slavery and the courage it took for slaves to run away seeking freedom. I found it very easy to read, though some parts were very heart breaking. I think there is a good balance of reality without so much detail as to be brutal (though the reality was too brutal). It was educational while also enjoyable to read.
December 27, 2019
A story within a story within a history of a people.
I found this book fascinating. It is in fact, a work of fiction. But because it is based on an archive of fact and contains footnotes and references it reads very much like a non-fiction work.
It’s a story however of hope and triumph, of one family who made it out of the darkness of those days. For the Europeans, Arabic and Moorish masters, slavery as a trade began in Portugal centuries before the American colonies were founded so the practices were well established by the time of the cotton plantations of the South were established.
As for the story, I found it to read like a diary rather than a narrative. Difficult to separate the fiction and fact.
I gave it four stars because for anyone with a personal interest in this part of history it is a must read. As a story and work of fiction to entertain, I find it too... diary like. And that’s just a personal taste. I struggle reading diaries! Others may be comfortable with it.
I found this book fascinating. It is in fact, a work of fiction. But because it is based on an archive of fact and contains footnotes and references it reads very much like a non-fiction work.
It’s a story however of hope and triumph, of one family who made it out of the darkness of those days. For the Europeans, Arabic and Moorish masters, slavery as a trade began in Portugal centuries before the American colonies were founded so the practices were well established by the time of the cotton plantations of the South were established.
As for the story, I found it to read like a diary rather than a narrative. Difficult to separate the fiction and fact.
I gave it four stars because for anyone with a personal interest in this part of history it is a must read. As a story and work of fiction to entertain, I find it too... diary like. And that’s just a personal taste. I struggle reading diaries! Others may be comfortable with it.
January 2, 2021
Quick but powerful recreation of escape from slavery
I was attracted to this book because it shares a tell of an individual whose ancestry goes back to Benin as does my own. I believe its a great companion to Barracoon which I recently read. This account gives you insight into the danger that accompanied an attemted escape to freedom. You also sense the level of risk abolitionists toom to aid escape. I believe this account is relevantnfor today as there are many people in bondage - to slavery of a different type. And their path to freedom will require people who are willing to engage and put themselves at risk to help people along the path to freedom. The sheer number of people who had to be involved in the escape process, and the level of coordination and logistics inolved are fascinating to me. Freedom, as we can ser, is never free. Someone has to pay the cost.
I was attracted to this book because it shares a tell of an individual whose ancestry goes back to Benin as does my own. I believe its a great companion to Barracoon which I recently read. This account gives you insight into the danger that accompanied an attemted escape to freedom. You also sense the level of risk abolitionists toom to aid escape. I believe this account is relevantnfor today as there are many people in bondage - to slavery of a different type. And their path to freedom will require people who are willing to engage and put themselves at risk to help people along the path to freedom. The sheer number of people who had to be involved in the escape process, and the level of coordination and logistics inolved are fascinating to me. Freedom, as we can ser, is never free. Someone has to pay the cost.
February 3, 2023
Informative and Inspirational
Many books and series such as Roots have taken us into a world that is difficult to comprehend. However, I learned so much about the use of quilts as a means to freedom. I wish there was a book series that extended the journey’s story. A book for each type of quilt; North Star, Monkey Wrench, Drunkard’s Path, etc., I would buy every one! And the book jacket could depict the quilt it represented!
Many books and series such as Roots have taken us into a world that is difficult to comprehend. However, I learned so much about the use of quilts as a means to freedom. I wish there was a book series that extended the journey’s story. A book for each type of quilt; North Star, Monkey Wrench, Drunkard’s Path, etc., I would buy every one! And the book jacket could depict the quilt it represented!
February 15, 2023
This should be required reading for blacks and whites. Easy to read, short and to the point. Not a lot of detail but historically accurate. Slavery has been wrong from the beginning, by all peoples. Very interesting to read about the quilts and stitches used in the Underground Railroad. The pics in the book are haunting.
June 21, 2023
intriguing
This book was intriguing. I never knew about the quilts hanging. Such a clever idea to help these people to freedom. I know now that whenever I make a quilt block mentioned here , it was also someone’s guide to freedom
This book was intriguing. I never knew about the quilts hanging. Such a clever idea to help these people to freedom. I know now that whenever I make a quilt block mentioned here , it was also someone’s guide to freedom
July 16, 2022
a read for all you quilters
Wow. This was a very quick read took me about 2 hours but so interesting about the unground slave railroad system. A true story.
Wow. This was a very quick read took me about 2 hours but so interesting about the unground slave railroad system. A true story.
August 4, 2022
A silent message.
Making the quilts was a way show the way to travel when slaves were on the run. Many were aware of this way to communicate the way to freedom.
Making the quilts was a way show the way to travel when slaves were on the run. Many were aware of this way to communicate the way to freedom.
August 10, 2024
Great read
Although short, this book is very educational. As a person with a history minor,I find historical fiction fascinating. This book didn't disappoint.
Although short, this book is very educational. As a person with a history minor,I find historical fiction fascinating. This book didn't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews